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Have you talked to your patients about getting a flu shot? This week is National Influenza Vaccination Week, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is reminding everyone that it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in preventing an infection. Once vaccinated, it takes about two weeks for the body’s immune response to fully kick in.

CDC notes that certain people are at high risk of developing serious flu-related complications and should get vaccinated:

Pregnant women

Children younger than 5 but especially children younger than 2 years old

People 65 years of age and older

People of any age with certain chronic conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart disease

Other at-risk groups who should consider vaccination include:

People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

Healthcare workers

Household contacts of persons with high risk of complications and children less than 6 months of age